Deadlocked: First Full Day of Jury Deliberations Ends in Case of Former Severna Park Elementary School Teacher Accused of Child Sex Abuse

The first full day of deliberations for jurors in the case of Matthew Schlegel, the former Severna Park Elementary School teacher accused of sexually assaulting multiple students, has come to an end.

Shortly before 5pm today, jurors sent a note to Judge Pamela Alban that they had not been able to decide unanimously whether or not Schlegel is guilty or not guilty on the 22 child sex abuse offenses that he has been accused of. The jurors first began deliberating jury on Friday around 1pm following the closing arguments from State and Defense. This may mean the jury is deadlocked. 

According to Attorney Kathleen Kirchner, who is not related to this case, deadlocked means no verdict can be reached and a mistrial can be declared. "All jury verdicts must be unanimous," Kirchner said. "Theoretically the case can be tried again, and again until a unanimous verdict can be reached-for guilt or innocence." 

Jurors were sent home for the evening and will resume deliberations tomorrow morning.

UPDATE: AS OF JUNE 16, 5:02PM: A jury has found Matthew Schlegel, a former Severna Park Elementary School teacher, not guilty on 18 of 21 charges in the child sex abuse trial against him. A mistrial will be declared in the remaining 3 counts. #developing

At least one of the families of the children have filed a civil suit against Schlegel, the School Principal and the Anne Arundel County Public School System. To read the complaint, go to: Mother Doe vs AACPS, et al

***The filing of a lawsuit is not indicative of guilt or wrong doing on the part of any of the parties involved.***

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